Streamlining the State's Emergency Services

LYNNE JETER

Streamlining the State's Emergency Services | Mississippi MED-COM Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, UMMC, David Powe, Dan Jones, Pam Hemphill

Mississippi MED-COM Center Adds Valuable Service to Healthcare Providers

Nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina illuminated the urgent need for an emergency-proof communications system, the state established the Mississippi MED-COM Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC).

"During Katrina, there was a need for gathering information concerning what resources were available, both tangible and intangible," said Pam Hemphill, emergency management coordinator for UMMC. "We knew that improvements were needed in communications and efficiency for all patient care needs during and after the critical times of disaster."

MED-COM, a centralized and coordinated ED/EMS communications center, was designed to improve communications and efficiency and increase access. The high-tech "situation room" alerts hospitals to stand-down or stand-up in a mass casualty incident, and allows emergency management personnel to communicate with every public service agency in the state.

"There was an increase in visiting medical aircraft in the central Mississippi region and there wasn't an established plan for communication with the EMS community," explained Hemphill. "It was the overall intention of UMMC to create an atmosphere conducive for preparing, training, responding to, and for, any event that requires medical attention in the state."

By the time MED-COM was unveiled to the public in mid-February, the staff had already coordinated more than 40,000 calls since opening in October 2008, with the help of direct radio-to-radio interoperability through mobile, portable and console equipment via the Mississippi State Wireless Integration Network. The staff also uses an extensive radio communication system with the capability to communicate with regional hospitals, EMS agencies, fire departments and emergency management officials, using state-of-the-art radio equipment, satellite phone/radio, direct dial phone, NAWAS phone, and Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) camera access.

"The MDOT connection is the first of its kind in the nation where the Intelligent Traffic Management System is integrated into a medical communications center in support of transporting patients," noted Hemphill.

Having a centralized transfer point using radio communications consoles that have access to local and statewide radio networks, and also other database collection software within the center, assists emergency management personnel with coordination, follow-up and most importantly, giving medical providers an access point to the many available services in Mississippi. "It also allows the safe and efficient coordination of scarce but valuable resources with county and state agencies during times of need," explained Hemphill. "The immediate access to the center allows for the decrease in response time for needed medical assistance, therefore increasing the probability of saving lives."

All Mississippi hospitals have access to MED-COM's Web site for hospital diversion, medical coverage status, and AirCare availability. Because the center is centrally located in the state's capital city, vital information is disseminated efficiently, using various mediums to reach all emergency service providers and hospitals in real time.

"This daily communication with hospitals and emergency workers will establish a trusted and reliable communications channel that will prove vital in the event of disaster or terrorist event," said Hemphill. "Having a system that is used daily becomes the norm in times of disaster.

MED-COM's Levels of Operation:

Local Operations. All local paramedics in the Central Mississippi EMS District contact MED-COM to alert the center of their patient's condition. MED-COM takes the traditional hospital report and updates the Web site to the information. As with the regional transfers, MED-COM staff may notify the receiving emergency department by phone if the patient condition warrants it. MED-COM manages diversion plans and guidelines, and handles the diversion rotation. This allows the medical control phone to be available for its intended use. MED-COM also allows immediate access to AirCare and provides in-flight tracking for the aircraft while also providing dispatch functions during launch and flight.
Regional Operations. All inbound aircraft or ambulances contact MED-COM on the Hospital State Net frequency as soon as possible. MED-COM obtains the basic patient information, triage classification, and hospital destination. MED-COM updates the Web site to notify hospitals of such traffic. In cases where urgent or important information warrants personal communication, MED-COM staff uses a direct line to the local emergency departments to alert them of the special and/or urgent situation. The MED-COM system is part of the regional response efforts for all-hazard type events and works in conjunction with the local emergency management agencies to coordinate efforts and provide accurate and timely information.
State Operations. During times of natural disaster or during a local or regional mass casualty incident, MED-COM assists with the coordination of all transfers into the Jackson regional area via traditional modes of communication. All hospitals within the state have access to the MED-COM website for hospital diversion, medical coverage status and AirCare availability. The system is the vital link for area agencies needing to transfer, evacuate, and/or find accurate information pertaining to disaster type situations. The MED-COM system is part of the state's response efforts for all-hazard type events and provides the state agencies with information for emergency preparedness needs, such as supplies and equipment.

David Powe, MD, associate vice chancellor for administrative affairs, said MED-COM is one of only a few sites nationwide that has the medical communication capabilities to respond in collaboration with multiple local, state and federal agencies to provide for the most efficient and effective delivery of healthcare to those in crisis situations.

"Our involvement with the Mississippi MED-COM Center should improve the healthcare in our state," added Dan Jones, MD, vice chancellor for health affairs.

Funding for MED-COM was derived from grant money secured through the Emergency Preparedness Program at UMMC via the Department of Health's Hospital Preparedness Program. Participating ESF agencies include the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, various county emergency operation centers, fire departments, ambulance services and healthcare agencies.

"Our goal is to continue with the initiatives of building a better understanding of the needs associated with emergency response and preparedness locally, regionally, and statewide," said Hemphill. "The MED-COM Center allows for increased participation in the community efforts and outreach programs that are a vital part of the growth needed for institutional, community, and regional awareness. The center is able to expand the services throughout our state, be self-reliant in times of crisis, as well as provide and facilitate activity among various departments and agencies."